Let's Talk MotoGP: Maverick Vinales' Performance Raises a Big Problem

Only he can do that. Maverick Vinales returned to the podium in MotoGP, almost a year after his last notable performance. "Top Gun" is undoubtedly one of the most unpredictable riders in history, as his performances are random, inexplicable, and, at times, impressive. Even though he was relegated to 14th place due to incorrect tire pressures, I couldn't see myself ignoring him.

 

The day and the night

 

It was not unreasonable to expect one or more breakthroughs from Maverick Vinales this season. In my preview, I said that he could still shock you, because I believed that the pressure of being an official rider, which he had been under since his arrival in MotoGP at the beginning of 2016, was harming him more than anything else. On the other hand, I didn't think I'd see him steal the show from Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder so soon..

 

 

In Qatar, he emerged during the Grand Prix by making some well-judged overtaking moves. It should be noted that with the starts, the lack of incisiveness is one of its major weak points. This has often cost him big points, or even more. Besides, the vast majority of his victories have been due to solo breakaways, which was absolutely not the case the day before yesterday. And yet, Vinales outsmarted Franco Morbidelli, Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez to lead this Grand Prix. Seeing him win would have surprised me, however, because when Marquez is prowling like that, two or three tenths behind, It means it's not your day.

Once overtaken, he finished comfortably ahead of Bagnaia, before taking a very heavy 16-second penalty. Maverick only wants to take the positives from this experience at the front, and intends to celebrate his performance as if it were second place.

 

A major problem

 

Generally, I avoid discussing anything tire-related in my articles, for several reasons. First, because I find this particularly illegible for the viewer. Sometimes the soft tire is chosen for the long distance, and the medium tire for qualifying. It is also common for our heroes to not understand why a particular compound reacts in a certain way, and we have seen, in recent years, many cases of drivers blaming the tires after disastrous races.

 

 

Second, and to return to the pressures, because I don't know what benefit Maverick Vinales got from it.. In these conversations, we often use the bar, but I'd rather use the second one so we can see if Maverick deserves applause or not! He received a 16-second penalty, so in this case, we can say that he benefited from a huge advantage. So be it. Does that mean he would have been 14th in the regular season? After finishing 10th in the Sprint, and knowing he's one of the best long-distance finishers?

It's hard not to bring this up after this Qatar Grand Prix; given your reactions, I think I speak for everyone, but that's just my opinion, of course. This is the second time this season that a race has been truncated by this issue of pressure, after Thailand. I'll tell you right away: I don't have a solution to this problemThis will not prevent me from pointing it out, and I believe that it is up to Michelin and the highest authorities to remedy this.

The issue is complex, of course, and I hear the arguments put forward here and thereBut from the viewer's point of view, it becomes difficult to follow, especially since there is no clearing.

 

 

The worst that could happen

 

The, it was "only" a second placeBut I will present to you two perfectly plausible scenarios that these non-compliant pressures could lead to.

1 - Imagine for a moment that Marc Marquez is leading a race – not very complicatedWe're two-thirds of the way through the season, and Bagnaia is close in the overall standings. As it happens, the latter is third, and absolutely must score the points for second place to take the lead in the standings. Fabio Di Giannantonio is second, with non-compliant pressures. In the battle, he can't give up. Bagnaia and "Diggia" clash, fall, and Marquez thus kills the season by taking 25 points off his closest pursuer. What do we do? Do we penalize Di Giannantonio twice if he is responsible for the fall? Quid of Bagnaia, who should never have had to cross swords with such a strong rider since he apparently received illegal help? A real headache. I just want to remind you that in Valencia, in 2023, Di Giannantonio finished second behind Bagnaia and was subsequently demoted, while a world title was at stake. It's not unrealistic at all..

2 – Worse. As in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the title MotoGP 2025 is decided in the final race between Márquez and Bagnaia. Jorge Martin leads, and the points for third place allow Márquez to claim the title. Meanwhile, Bagnaia, in second place, tries to catch the "Martinator," without success. On arrival, we learn that the official Aprilia driver is penalized. Marquez, who did not attack, thinking that his position was sufficient, loses the title by one point. How do you do it?

I repeat: I don't have the answer to these questions, but I think it could turn out to be in drama for the image of the sport if a world title were decided in this way.

What do you think about this case and the penalty received by Maverick Vinales? Tell us in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: KTM Tech3